Israeli swimmers give us 12 points for Olympics
One of the parents who was there said we are all suffering from a "mental jet-lag". Our bodies are here, back in our country, but our spirits and minds are still in Ireland. It will take more than three weeks for us to digest all the love, warmth, support and friendship we experienced during our visit with you.
We were overwhelmed with the fantastic organisation, all details, even the smallest things, that make life easy for people who are away from home.
! The opening and closing ceremonies left us speechless with opened mouths wow, how beautiful, cheerful and colourful.
You wanted us to 'share the feeling' well, that sure was the spirit. During the closing ceremony you could see athletes, trainers, referees and whoever was there standing holding hands and singing all together no matter what country they came from and who they were. But most of all it was the people, the Irish, who made all this happen.
The 'green shirts team 2003' helped, supported, organised and become part of each team they were working with. The bus drivers and the Toyota drivers driving us from place to place, were always so helpful and cheerful to be there for us at every time of the day. All the 'yellow shirts' at the pool, trying to make life easier and less tense for trainers and swimmers alike. All the thousands of volunteers in all the coloured shirts that made it all possible and made it all happen. !!! You did it and you did it in the best way anyone could have ever done it.
Last, but not least, the host towns and cities that went out of their way to give everyone an experience they will never forget. Four royal days we were treated like royalty. What a good way to warm up before the 10 days of competition.
We had the feeling we were living in an unreal world! Where everyone loves everyone else, everyone is there to help everyone else and all is good and nice in the world. Who wants to wake up into the real world after experiencing such a dream?
The people who decided to let Ireland host the Games knew exactly why no one could have done a better job. No one could recruit such fantastic people who opened their houses to the families, their hearts, to 7,000 athletes and their beautiful country to all the 160 delegations that came to take part in the games.
If this was the Eurovision Song Contest Ireland would get all 12 points from me, but as it is not all I can do is cheer three cheers for you one for the people, one for the Games and one for your beautiful country.
!!Thank you so much for being part of the best time of my life.
!Judy Ziv,
Assistant coach of the Israeli Swimming Team 2003,
Beit Yitzhak,
42920,
Israel.
